Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses

by

Malorie Blackman

Ryan McGregor/Dad Character Analysis

Dad is Callum, Jude, and Lynette’s father and Mum’s husband. He begins the novel as an easygoing, affable man. But when Mum loses her job and the family falls into poverty, Mum no longer sees Dad as just calm and supportive: she calls him “the most ineffectual man” she’s ever met. Jude also resents Dad, but for supporting Callum attending Heathcroft and for supposedly “enabling” Lynette’s mental illness (she experiences episodes where she believes she’s a Cross). Callum, though, appreciates Dad’s support, as Dad is one of his biggest cheerleaders when it comes to attending Heathcroft and integrating the school. Much of Mum’s issue with Dad stems from the fact that she doesn’t believe he’s properly protecting any of their children, as he supports Callum attending Heathcroft, struggles to protect Lynette from Jude, and ultimately draws Jude into the Liberation Militia. But after Lynette dies, Dad undergoes a change and insists his “ineffectual days” are over—which is implied to mean that Dad ramps up his involvement with the LM. This continues to cause tension in Dad and Mum’s marriage, as Mum doesn’t believe violence is the way to desegregate society. Despite Mum’s disapproval, Dad and Jude are involved in bombing the Dundale Shopping Center and killing seven people. Unfortunately, when the police arrest the McGregors (except Jude) in the middle of the night to question them, Dad believes the officers who say they have Jude—and who say that if Dad accepts responsibility for the bombing, Jude will be okay. He makes a full confession and is enraged when he discovers the truth (that the police never had Jude). Despite pleading not guilty in court, Dad is convicted of murder and political terrorism, and he’s sentenced to hang. The prison governor stops Dad’s execution at the last minute, but by this point, Dad is done fighting and doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life in prison. He dies when he’s electrocuted by the prison fence. Noughts believe he died nobly by suicide; Crosses believe he got what he deserved for trying to escape.

Ryan McGregor/Dad Quotes in Noughts and Crosses

The Noughts and Crosses quotes below are all either spoken by Ryan McGregor/Dad or refer to Ryan McGregor/Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism, Division, and Tragedy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 26 Quotes

“Because her boyfriend was a Cross. Your sister was beaten and l-left for dead because she was dating a Cross. And she didn’t even tell us. She was afraid of what we’d all say. So is it any wonder that she can’t bear to think of herself as one of us anymore? Is it any wonder she can’t even leave this house anymore? Her mind hasn’t been right since ’cause she’s still hurting.”

Related Characters: Ryan McGregor/Dad (speaker), Callum McGregor, Jude McGregor, Lynette McGregor, Jed
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 50 Quotes

“We had to, Mum. Our cell was ordered to do it. Some of us set it up last night, but they said they’d phone through with the warning an hour before it went off. I swear they did. They said that everyone would be evacuated in plenty of time.” The verbal waterfall tumbled from Jude’s mouth.

“You killed, you murdered all those people…,” Mum whispered, appalled.

“Dad said they would phone through with a warning. That’s what he said. I don’t understand.” Jude turned bewildered eyes toward Dad.

Related Characters: Meggie McGregor/Mum (speaker), Jude McGregor (speaker), Callum McGregor, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 219
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 60 Quotes

“No, Meggie. I’m guilty. That’s the truth and I’m sticking to it. I won’t let them put you and Callum in prison for this. Or Jude.” Dad lowered his voice again. “Just make sure that Jude stays lost so the daggers can’t get their hands on him. If they find him, he’ll rot in prison.” A tiny, sad smile played over Dad’s face, but it was gone in an instant. “But at least my confession means he won’t die.”

Related Characters: Ryan McGregor/Dad (speaker), Callum McGregor, Meggie McGregor/Mum, Jude McGregor
Page Number: 265
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 66 Quotes

The judge was droning on and on at the jury, telling them what the case was about and what it was not about. Twelve good men and women and true, hanging on the judge’s every word. Twelve good Cross men and women, of course. How else could justice be served?

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 284
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 69 Quotes

Mr. Pingule, the prosecutor, smiled at me encouragingly, which helped a little. A very little. I hadn’t expected to be quite so nervous. […]

“Take your time, Miss Hadley,” the judge said, smiling.

I smiled back at him gratefully. Maybe I could do this. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Shaun Pingule (speaker), Callum McGregor, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 289
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 71 Quotes

According to the reporters on the telly, Kelani was making sure that the trial was as fair as possible—and putting the judge’s back up in the process. Good for her!

Ryan McGregor just had to be found not guilty. It was only right and proper.

It was only just.

It was only justice.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Ryan McGregor/Dad, Kelani Adams
Page Number: 305
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 77 Quotes

“You stupid girl. Who d’you think paid for their lawyer and all their legal fees?” Mother took hold of my shoulders and shook me. “I prayed and paid and did everything I could to make sure that Ryan wouldn’t hang. What more could I have done? You tell me.”

Related Characters: Mrs. Hadley/Mother (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Meggie McGregor/Mum, Ryan McGregor/Dad, Kelani Adams
Page Number: 326
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 80 Quotes

When I’d come into her room, I’d been burning up with the desire to smash her and everything else around her. Sephy was a Cross I could actually hurt. And yet here she was, asleep and still holding on to my arms like I was a life raft or something. There’s not an inch of space between her body and mine. I could move my hands and…And. Anything I liked. Caress or strangle. Kill or cure. Her or me. Me or her.

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 339
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 89 Quotes

I used to comfort myself with the belief that it was only certain individuals and their peculiar notions that spoiled things for the rest of us. But how many individuals does it take before it’s not the individuals who are prejudiced but society itself? And it wasn’t even that most Crosses were prejudiced against noughts. I still didn’t believe that. But everyone seemed to be too afraid to stand up in public and say, “This is wrong.” And by everyone, I meant me included.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Callum McGregor, Mr. Kamal Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad, Shaun Pingule
Page Number: 367
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 116 Quotes

Once I’d been found guilty nothing on earth could’ve made the judges overturn the verdict. The reason is simple. I’m a nought who dared to fall in love with a Cross. And worse still, I actually made love with her. And worse than that, she’s pregnant with my child and doesn’t care who knows it.

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 480
Explanation and Analysis:
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Noughts and Crosses PDF

Ryan McGregor/Dad Quotes in Noughts and Crosses

The Noughts and Crosses quotes below are all either spoken by Ryan McGregor/Dad or refer to Ryan McGregor/Dad. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism, Division, and Tragedy Theme Icon
).
Chapter 26 Quotes

“Because her boyfriend was a Cross. Your sister was beaten and l-left for dead because she was dating a Cross. And she didn’t even tell us. She was afraid of what we’d all say. So is it any wonder that she can’t bear to think of herself as one of us anymore? Is it any wonder she can’t even leave this house anymore? Her mind hasn’t been right since ’cause she’s still hurting.”

Related Characters: Ryan McGregor/Dad (speaker), Callum McGregor, Jude McGregor, Lynette McGregor, Jed
Page Number: 129
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 50 Quotes

“We had to, Mum. Our cell was ordered to do it. Some of us set it up last night, but they said they’d phone through with the warning an hour before it went off. I swear they did. They said that everyone would be evacuated in plenty of time.” The verbal waterfall tumbled from Jude’s mouth.

“You killed, you murdered all those people…,” Mum whispered, appalled.

“Dad said they would phone through with a warning. That’s what he said. I don’t understand.” Jude turned bewildered eyes toward Dad.

Related Characters: Meggie McGregor/Mum (speaker), Jude McGregor (speaker), Callum McGregor, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 219
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 60 Quotes

“No, Meggie. I’m guilty. That’s the truth and I’m sticking to it. I won’t let them put you and Callum in prison for this. Or Jude.” Dad lowered his voice again. “Just make sure that Jude stays lost so the daggers can’t get their hands on him. If they find him, he’ll rot in prison.” A tiny, sad smile played over Dad’s face, but it was gone in an instant. “But at least my confession means he won’t die.”

Related Characters: Ryan McGregor/Dad (speaker), Callum McGregor, Meggie McGregor/Mum, Jude McGregor
Page Number: 265
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 66 Quotes

The judge was droning on and on at the jury, telling them what the case was about and what it was not about. Twelve good men and women and true, hanging on the judge’s every word. Twelve good Cross men and women, of course. How else could justice be served?

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 284
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 69 Quotes

Mr. Pingule, the prosecutor, smiled at me encouragingly, which helped a little. A very little. I hadn’t expected to be quite so nervous. […]

“Take your time, Miss Hadley,” the judge said, smiling.

I smiled back at him gratefully. Maybe I could do this. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Shaun Pingule (speaker), Callum McGregor, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 289
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 71 Quotes

According to the reporters on the telly, Kelani was making sure that the trial was as fair as possible—and putting the judge’s back up in the process. Good for her!

Ryan McGregor just had to be found not guilty. It was only right and proper.

It was only just.

It was only justice.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Ryan McGregor/Dad, Kelani Adams
Page Number: 305
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 77 Quotes

“You stupid girl. Who d’you think paid for their lawyer and all their legal fees?” Mother took hold of my shoulders and shook me. “I prayed and paid and did everything I could to make sure that Ryan wouldn’t hang. What more could I have done? You tell me.”

Related Characters: Mrs. Hadley/Mother (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Meggie McGregor/Mum, Ryan McGregor/Dad, Kelani Adams
Page Number: 326
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 80 Quotes

When I’d come into her room, I’d been burning up with the desire to smash her and everything else around her. Sephy was a Cross I could actually hurt. And yet here she was, asleep and still holding on to my arms like I was a life raft or something. There’s not an inch of space between her body and mine. I could move my hands and…And. Anything I liked. Caress or strangle. Kill or cure. Her or me. Me or her.

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 339
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 89 Quotes

I used to comfort myself with the belief that it was only certain individuals and their peculiar notions that spoiled things for the rest of us. But how many individuals does it take before it’s not the individuals who are prejudiced but society itself? And it wasn’t even that most Crosses were prejudiced against noughts. I still didn’t believe that. But everyone seemed to be too afraid to stand up in public and say, “This is wrong.” And by everyone, I meant me included.

Related Characters: Sephy Hadley (speaker), Callum McGregor, Mr. Kamal Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad, Shaun Pingule
Page Number: 367
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 116 Quotes

Once I’d been found guilty nothing on earth could’ve made the judges overturn the verdict. The reason is simple. I’m a nought who dared to fall in love with a Cross. And worse still, I actually made love with her. And worse than that, she’s pregnant with my child and doesn’t care who knows it.

Related Characters: Callum McGregor (speaker), Sephy Hadley, Ryan McGregor/Dad
Page Number: 480
Explanation and Analysis: